Samaikhyandhra Fasts are Political Stunts: Erasu

Hyderabad, August 17 (INN): Law Minister Erasu Pratap Reddy on Saturday described the hunger fasts being taken up by politicians for Saimaikhyandhra as political stunts.

Talking to reporters in the Assembly premises here, Erasu said that the hunger fasts were aimed at political gains and intended towards keeping the State united. Making indirect reference to the fast-unto-death proposed to be taken up by YSR Congress party honorary president YS Vijayamma, he said that such protests were being held to encash on Samaikhyandhra sentiments.

Erasu said that if the division of Andhra Pradesh was inevitable, then it should be trifurcated. However, he said that he was against the division of the State and the same would be conveyed by all Seemandhra ministers and legislators during their meeting with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday evening.

The minister also condemned the attack on Congress MP V Hanumnath Rao in Tirupati. Stating that peaceful protest for Samaikhyandhra was acceptable, he said that the attack on VHR’s vehicle was against the Rayalaseema culture.